Seoul City Asks Government for Interpretation on Whether Post-Fine Imposition Is Possible for "No Mask Wearing"

Guidance-Focused Crackdown Results in Only 16 Fines Over 2 Months... Inquiry to Government to Ensure Effectiveness of Administrative Orders

On January 4, the first working day of the New Year 2021, commuters in Sindorim Station, Guro-gu, Seoul, hurriedly walked wearing masks on their way to work. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government has requested a government interpretation regarding enforcement guidelines and conditions for imposing fines to effectively improve the "mask-wearing administrative order," which has been difficult to enforce.

On the 5th, Park Yumi, Seoul's Quarantine Control Officer, stated during an online briefing related to COVID-19, "We inquired with the government whether fines can be imposed if mask non-compliance is confirmed afterward through epidemiological investigations such as CCTV review at facilities where confirmed cases occurred," adding, "They promised to provide a response soon."

Seoul conducted mask-wearing inspections on public transportation and multi-use facilities from November 13 last year to the 21st of last month, but only 16 cases actually resulted in fines. Although there were many instances of mask non-compliance, fines were only imposed when enforcement officers issued guidance and it was ignored.

Control Officer Park explained, "The administrative order issued to the general public was intended for quarantine management, not punishment," and added, "Since there was concern about excessively restricting citizens' daily lives, enforcement has been conducted mainly through guidance." However, she also said, "In cases of malicious violations or when complaints arise from facilities with confirmed cases, the central government will discuss and improve the guidelines on a case-by-case basis."

Additionally, she requested active reporting and participation from citizens regarding the administrative order banning private gatherings of five or more people. She also announced that the crackdown on 'hunting pocha' (hunting pubs), which has been ongoing since the 3rd, will continue.

Control Officer Park explained, "We are continuously monitoring violations of the ban on private gatherings of five or more people," and added, "Although we conduct post-incident investigations when confirmed cases occur, it is practically difficult to enforce in private spaces where gatherings take place."

She continued, "So far, we have inspected 24 hunting pochas," and added, "No cases of quarantine rule violations have been detected, but we will continue to monitor to prevent illegal operations."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.